Machiavelli

Injuries ought to be done all at one time, so that, being tasted less, they offend less; benefits ought to be given little by little, so that the flavor of them may last longer.

The nature of men is such that they are much beholden to those who do them good, and they are much offended by those who do them evil.

It is a common fault of men not to reckon on storms in fair weather.

It is better to be impetuous than cautious, because Fortune is a woman, and if you wish to control her, it is necessary to beat and ill-use her.

And it is to be noted that in taking a state, the conqueror must arrange to commit all his cruelties at once, so as not to have to repeat them daily, but to be able, by not repeating them, to reassure people and win them over by benefits.

Because there are three ways of holding conquered states that are accustomed to living under their own laws and in freedom: the first is to ruin them, the next is to reside there in person, the third is to permit them to live under their own laws, taking tribute of them, and creating within them an oligarchy which will keep the state friendly to you.

To conquer, one must have the spirit of a lion and the cunning of a fox.

The prince who relies entirely on fortune is ruined when she changes.

Hatred is acquired as much by good works as by evil.

The desire to acquire is truly a very natural and common thing; and when men who are able to do so acquire, they are always praised and not blamed; but when they are not able to do so, and yet wish to do so, then there is blame and error.

Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number of men who are not good.

A prudent man should always follow in the path of great men and imitate those who have been most excellent, so that if his ability does not equal theirs, at least it will savour of it.

Thus it happens in affairs of state, that to try to avoid one trouble often leads to another.

He who is not strong enough to be a fox and a lion at the same time, will be ruined by either.

In every city these two opposite parties are to be found, arising from the desire of the people to be not oppressed, and the desire of the nobles to oppress.